Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Basalt, CO has a lot to offer. Basalt is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Basalt, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"Had a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs."
"There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails"."
"Very remote but easy access, we car camped to be near a trailhead the next morning."
"Travel up a dirt road 4 to 10 miles and find many sites. It is popular in hunting season. Road closed Oct 1st to May 31st."
"The further along the path you travel, the more rugged it becomes; so most people seemingly settled for the first few spots. Personally, site 5, 8, and 11 are best."
"No water so bring in your own, or filter from the running stream/lake surrounding camp."
$8 / night
"No electric hook ups. We brought in our 27foot camper and had a spectacular visit. Quiet area. Creek at entrance."
"There was a park ranger on site at the time we were there so that provided a sense of security while being more in the back country."
"Easy to find the site, ours was near the river. Lots of bugs so bring bug spray. Very calming and felt safe. Would recommend!"
"Drive to the camp ground and you can keep driving to find campsites. There are sites along the creek and along the road. There is a pit toilet and it's a long road with lots of sites.
No service"
"There’s plenty of open areas and few more shaded. Great spot to kayak or paddleboard. We went back down the road we camp up though and found more secluded sports all along it."
"to turn around."
"The last campsite had the most people, which was the one by Snowmass Lake."
"Easy drive up out of Redstone. All along the road are pullouts along the way. Great hearing the water all night long."
"Great views overlooking the Colorado River. It is an open area with some flat spots and some areas requiring leveling. Can handle big rigs, but space is limited."
"Right off the road, quiet, flat, a few other campers, it was clean and free. 5g was good"
"Absolutely requires four-wheel drive for two and a half miles of extremely rough unpaved road that goes up a thousand feet."
"Bringing one up could lead to a serious situation , since there are no places to turn around whatsoever. That said, views were absolutely breathtaking."
GuideHad a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits. The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs. Would stay again 9/10 would recommend.
Remember to pack in pack out.
RangerHubbard Mesa area is an off highway vehicle area that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
There's not much in this area except a small little campsite right off the road. I didn't explore all the rest of the HOV cuz I wasn't in a four-wheeler, but it was perfect for an overnight stay on a motorcycle trip to Sturgis.
The Road in is dirt and there are no durable paved surfaces anywhere, so I would imagine if it had rained this would be a muddy mess.
RangerStunningly beautiful dispersed camping at its best. To find the most precious spot you need to get to Forest service Road 130 S as in South. There is a forest service ranger station on the south side of Leadville where you can get a motor vehicle use map MVUM. But even without a map the roads are marked. 130 starts near Highway 24 on the west side across from massive lakes, near a large bank of mailboxes. You'll see a sign asking you to respect the private property owners rights. Just keep going up the hill and you will find the forest service signage indicating the public lands. Many people don't go much further. But the truly spectacular sites are a couple miles further. The roads are narrow and steep but manageable. Keep going down 130 until you reach an intersection with 130A and 130 B, A goes north and B goes south. But keep going till you reach a T intersection. 160 goes north and 130 S goes south. Go left, south till you reach a slightly challenging switch back. Just on the other side of the switchback is a wide open space with room for many rigs including good size trailers. Very quiet with very little traffic of any kind. The Leadville 100 foot race goes right by every August.
RangerTravel a few miles down Brush Creek Trail. After passing Strand Hill MTB trail you will get to a split in the road. The left turn will take you up a deeply rutted 4WD road towards Teocalli Ridge MTB trail. Lots of beautiful camping on this road. But it can be tough sledding when it is wet. If you stay to the right you will get to a flat where many people will camp. You can get a smaller RV/Trailer/Sprinter here very easily. If you are intrepid - and have a good 4WD with some clearance - you can continue through the creek and up the hill where superb, quiet dispersed camping exists.
Leave no trace.
ScoutThere are many sites all over the place up there. Some are big enough for groups of RV's some are small, private tent spots. Some offer magicians views others are in dense vegetation along water. We found no cell reception for miles. There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails". No services, no running water, no electric, no cable TV, no bathrooms, no showers, no dump stations, no picnic tables, etc. It's the forest.
TravelerThe sites are plentiful large, but you’ll require a decent 4x4 vehicle to get you there. The further along the path you travel, the more rugged it becomes; so most people seemingly settled for the first few spots. Personally, site 5, 8, and 11 are best. Almost every site has a bear-proof box you can store food (or hide?) within, which is nice. Sites are also far enough apart to mitigate any privacy concerns, and albeit the current fire ban - come equipped with existing fire pits.
LegendLake Constantine sits about 4 miles off of Tigiwon Rd outside of the town of Minturn. These camp spots are only accessible by hiking in. The lake can get fairly busy on weekends in the summer but the weekdays are usually quiet. We spent a night up there in early July and saw 1 other person on a Monday night. The hike to the lake was fairly easy, takes about 2 hours each way and climbs roughly 1300 ft. Upon leaving the parking lot you MUST fill out the overnight camping sheet and attach a tag to yourself. This is your permit for the night and it is free.
Spots are laid out along the edge of the lake on either side and are not numbered or marked. This is a first come, first served area. The spot we found was to the left side of the lake right off of the trail and had enough room for a couple tents. Coincidentally, this is the same spot where many of our friends have camped as well. I would say this is one of the better areas. There was a pre made rock fire ring that sat against a rock to reflect heat back (we went during Colorado's 2018 summer long fire ban), so we could not take advantage of this and had no fire this weekend.
The lake itself is very large and offers some amazing high alpine fishing. We caught many trout while fly fishing throughout the day and night.Dry flies worked very well at dusk. Because of the lake and the creek, the mosquitoes in this area are bad. BRING BUG SPRAY!
Remember, this area is only accessible by backpacking in and there are no camping amenities. Lake Constantine sits in US Forest Service land so you must obey all forest service rules and closures when in place. Overall, amazing spot. Great for a night getaway or for someones first backpacking trip.
LegendLocated near the town of Granite, this forest service road is host to trailheads and lots of dispersed camping. Off of highway 24 you will find Clear Creek Reservoir, this is a great spot to do some fishing form the shore or in a boat. There is also an established campground beyond the lake that is forest service run and does cost money. However if you keep driving for a few miles the road will open up to free dispersed camping.
We showed up on friday at around 4 pm and it was packed! Spots range in size from one care to huge areas big enough for 20 cars and we saw just that. Lots of big camp trips happening. That being said, the camping was still pretty good despite all the people. We managed to find a spot next to another couple in a little turn off. Some groups were parked on the road and walked into the trees to set up a spot. It was kind of a free for all back there.
With all those people and trailheads to several 14ers on the road, there ware many cars driving by. It did stay pretty active until later in the night.
Campsites: Dispersed with no amenities. No metal fire rings, picnic tables, restrooms or trash bins. Restrooms were located at a trail head but on one set.
We enjoyed the spot, it was a little dusty but not terrible. Perfect spot if you are trying to hike Belford, Oxford, Missouri or Huron. Road was in good condition, any car will make it.
TravelerI was up there on a Tuesday-Wednesday so it was very quiet and there was no one else at the site. It’s right on the water although there is a drop off you have to climb down, but it’s not bad. There were some cattle that walked through as I was setting up but otherwise very chill. All sites had areas for parking and fire rings. Driving off the forest road and onto the small road getting up to the campsite, 4WD isn’t required but highly recommended, it is a very rough road. High clearance is necessary. The sites seemed kinda close to each other however there are trees and stumps that define each site. Amazing views, light rain, and still my favorite forest.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Basalt, Colorado, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping areas on Basalt Mountain?
Dispersed camping on Basalt Mountain is accessible via forest service roads in the area. Basalt Mountain Dispersed offers drive-in and walk-in access with several primitive sites. For nearby alternatives, Forest Road 130 provides stunning dispersed camping opportunities with various sites accessible along the road. High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing most sites, though some areas can be reached with standard vehicles. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles as these areas don't have formal amenities. Most sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and it's wise to have a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) from the local ranger station to help navigate the network of forest roads.
Is Basalt Mountain dispersed camping on BLM land and what regulations apply?
While Basalt Mountain includes some dispersed camping, much of the surrounding area features BLM-managed lands. Hubbard Mesa OHV East - BLM is an example of BLM-managed dispersed camping in the region. Standard BLM regulations apply: camp at least 200 feet from water sources, stay at established sites when possible, and follow Leave No Trace principles. Camping is typically limited to 14 days within a 30-day period. Campfires may be restricted seasonally, so check current fire restrictions before your trip. Pack out all trash and use portable toilets or dig catholes at least 6 inches deep and 200 feet from water. Upper Colorado River BLM Dispersed provides additional BLM camping options in the broader area.
Are there any free camping options near Basalt, CO?
Yes, several free dispersed camping options exist near Basalt. Four Mile Road Dispersed offers numerous free sites ranging from large areas suitable for RVs to small, private tent spots. Some sites provide mountain views while others are nestled in dense vegetation near water. No cell reception is available for miles. Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground is another free option, featuring large sites accessible with 4x4 vehicles. Most sites have bear-proof boxes, and the best locations are sites 5, 8, and 11. The road becomes increasingly rugged as you travel farther in. Both areas follow standard dispersed camping rules: no facilities, pack out all trash, and typically 14-day stay limits.
What amenities or features are available at Twin Meadows near Basalt?
Twin Meadows camping areas near Basalt are primarily primitive with minimal amenities. Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley Rd offers waterfront sites with established fire rings but no formal facilities. The area provides scenic views and direct water access, though there's a drop-off to reach the water's edge. Similarly, Twin Lakes Dispersed features primitive camping with no developed amenities – no toilets, potable water, or designated fire pits. These areas are true dispersed camping experiences requiring self-sufficiency. You'll need to bring all necessary supplies including water, waste disposal systems, and food storage containers. Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent, so plan accordingly for emergency communications.
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